I was scanning through the New York Times's website as I do every morning when I ran across this interesting article: What Happy People Don't Do.
Basically, a study shows that people who are happy do a lot of socializing, going to church, and reading newspapers. Happy people, however, spend less time watching TV. This makes a lot of sense to me and reaffirms my belief that people need fellowship with other people.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
We need love
Last night, my law professor said something that confirmed my suspicions of his complete cynicism. He told us it's not a good idea to get too close to people. He told us that we needed to know how to make stars feel important and like us in order to be successful, but that we shouldn't get too emotionally involved with them. This is coming from a man who's had two failed marriages and brown noses to make friends. His advice goes against everything I believe to be true about relationships.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm just idealistic because I'm young. But, maybe I'm not. It's risky to love other people. They will disappoint you, use you, and leave you. I've been burned, forgotten, and disliked--I would be crazy to think I was the only one who's been treated like this. But, on the most basic level of my humanity, there's something inside of me that longs for intimacy with others. I am not ashamed to admit that I am not autonomous. Life has so much more vibrancy when you can experience it with others. I need fellowship.
Since I have been married, I have realized how much intimacy means to me. Matt is gone this week, and I feel like a part of my soul has left with him. I'll be fine by myself--I am not so dependent that I can't function without him. But, I really miss him!
I have always been the type of person that needed to be included in a group. God has been gracious enough to supply a fantastic group of people that have openly accepted me. This has been a rare, hard thing to find in my experience, but God is faithful to attend to my needs. I also find that it is so much easier to love other people when your friends are readily willing to love as well.
After describing the important of intimacy in my life, I want to relate it to my potential career. I don't believe you can run a nonprofit (or a ministry, for that matter) without some desire to love and become emotionally involved with people. It's easy for a callous lawyer to say that love should be avoided, but I cannot see how life will be successful and worthwhile without it.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm just idealistic because I'm young. But, maybe I'm not. It's risky to love other people. They will disappoint you, use you, and leave you. I've been burned, forgotten, and disliked--I would be crazy to think I was the only one who's been treated like this. But, on the most basic level of my humanity, there's something inside of me that longs for intimacy with others. I am not ashamed to admit that I am not autonomous. Life has so much more vibrancy when you can experience it with others. I need fellowship.
Since I have been married, I have realized how much intimacy means to me. Matt is gone this week, and I feel like a part of my soul has left with him. I'll be fine by myself--I am not so dependent that I can't function without him. But, I really miss him!
I have always been the type of person that needed to be included in a group. God has been gracious enough to supply a fantastic group of people that have openly accepted me. This has been a rare, hard thing to find in my experience, but God is faithful to attend to my needs. I also find that it is so much easier to love other people when your friends are readily willing to love as well.
After describing the important of intimacy in my life, I want to relate it to my potential career. I don't believe you can run a nonprofit (or a ministry, for that matter) without some desire to love and become emotionally involved with people. It's easy for a callous lawyer to say that love should be avoided, but I cannot see how life will be successful and worthwhile without it.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Some disjointed thoughts
I've had two things that have been on my mind recently: what it means to be a human and Showbread's significance in my life.
New Orleans is infamous for its crime. I looked at a map yesterday that plotted all of the murders that have occurred this year. What do you know, a big chunk of them are south of Gentilly. Murder, stealing, and hurting other people really disgusts me. What drives people to do this? We are not that much different from each other. We all experience happiness, anger, anxiety, and loneliness. Why do people feel the need to treat each other with such contempt? It's selfish and ignorant. No one is entitled to the take someone's else humanity away. Someone once held a cookie in front of me and asked me to beg for it like a dog. I was incredibly insulted. I watch people treat cashiers like they are servants or whipping boys. Aren't they people with feelings too? Humanity is our relationship point with the entire world population. I believe humanity is beautiful. We should preserve it and treat it, if not with admiration, at least with respect!
On my second note, I want to discus why I love Showbread. On a more superficial level, I always admire their music. It is a different experience with every CD. Not many bands can pull off versatility with virtuosity. The lyrics are heartfelt and deep. The sounds are layered and suprising. Their shows are amazing and well thought out. Many bands just go on stage, dressed in their tattered attire, and play their music. Showbread wears matching outfits and rock as hard as they can. Most importantly, this band gives me hope for what I want to see happen in the future. They are true to their music, which I believe they consider is their art, while also being consistent with their message of proclaiming God. How many people can say that? They tour with nonChristians in venues filled with nonChristians, and yet they have managed to stay consistent with their message. I feel so inspired!
Furthermore, in one of my favorite songs, "Stabbing Art to Death," they talk about true art. The lyrics discuss how art is superficial if it is an expression of one's self instead of being an expression of inspiration from God. Beautiful and true! It reminds of the popular idea of Humanism during the Renaissance (that resonnates through today), where the artists celebrated their ability to create and forgot about God's ultimate power as the Creator. I believe that creating a painting, sculpture, drawing, book, meal, or whatever gives people a chance to connect with God on a different level. You get to experience the fulfillment, satisfaction, excitement, and love that God feels about His creations. At any rate, I'm glad Showbread seems to have their priorities straight.
Well, that's about it here. We're all getting ready for the end of the semester. Matt started a new position in the Center for New Testament Textual Studies, so we're pretty excited about that! Things are going great here in New Orleans. We are always finding something to do. We've made some really great friends at Celebration church. I feel like we are in the right place at the right time!
New Orleans is infamous for its crime. I looked at a map yesterday that plotted all of the murders that have occurred this year. What do you know, a big chunk of them are south of Gentilly. Murder, stealing, and hurting other people really disgusts me. What drives people to do this? We are not that much different from each other. We all experience happiness, anger, anxiety, and loneliness. Why do people feel the need to treat each other with such contempt? It's selfish and ignorant. No one is entitled to the take someone's else humanity away. Someone once held a cookie in front of me and asked me to beg for it like a dog. I was incredibly insulted. I watch people treat cashiers like they are servants or whipping boys. Aren't they people with feelings too? Humanity is our relationship point with the entire world population. I believe humanity is beautiful. We should preserve it and treat it, if not with admiration, at least with respect!
On my second note, I want to discus why I love Showbread. On a more superficial level, I always admire their music. It is a different experience with every CD. Not many bands can pull off versatility with virtuosity. The lyrics are heartfelt and deep. The sounds are layered and suprising. Their shows are amazing and well thought out. Many bands just go on stage, dressed in their tattered attire, and play their music. Showbread wears matching outfits and rock as hard as they can. Most importantly, this band gives me hope for what I want to see happen in the future. They are true to their music, which I believe they consider is their art, while also being consistent with their message of proclaiming God. How many people can say that? They tour with nonChristians in venues filled with nonChristians, and yet they have managed to stay consistent with their message. I feel so inspired!
Furthermore, in one of my favorite songs, "Stabbing Art to Death," they talk about true art. The lyrics discuss how art is superficial if it is an expression of one's self instead of being an expression of inspiration from God. Beautiful and true! It reminds of the popular idea of Humanism during the Renaissance (that resonnates through today), where the artists celebrated their ability to create and forgot about God's ultimate power as the Creator. I believe that creating a painting, sculpture, drawing, book, meal, or whatever gives people a chance to connect with God on a different level. You get to experience the fulfillment, satisfaction, excitement, and love that God feels about His creations. At any rate, I'm glad Showbread seems to have their priorities straight.
Well, that's about it here. We're all getting ready for the end of the semester. Matt started a new position in the Center for New Testament Textual Studies, so we're pretty excited about that! Things are going great here in New Orleans. We are always finding something to do. We've made some really great friends at Celebration church. I feel like we are in the right place at the right time!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Our President-Elect
Was I disappointed in the election results? Do I believe that the United States is going downhill? Do I believe that I should have voted? I'm watching all these Conservative Christians being really sore losers, and it kinda makes me sick.
I don't know what's going to happen to the U.S. I know I'm going to try to be faithful to God's will and try to be an asset to my country. Yes, Obama's policies scare me. Who's going to pay for them? What kind of habits are they producing? Yes, Obama's charisma paired with lack of experience scares me. But, he's been elected, so I will continue on with my life by trying to be the best American I can be. I'm not going to give up my morals, values, and convictions, and I will continue to vote according to them. This time I wasn't in the majority. That's the way the system works.
I definitely see some positive things out of Obama's election, though. He wasn't elected because only the African-Americans came out to vote, he was elected because he was abled to appeal to all races. I am so proud to see that an African American was able to be elected. How far we have come! Racism makes me sick. I want to believe that it is not as big of a deal anymore, but I know that's not entirely true. Mistrust exists on both sides. Maybe now we can see that all races are on a level playing field. I believe that level playing field existed before the election, but that it was covered by a lack of confidence and motivation that has shackled that culture. I believe that everyone deserves a chance, but that chance is gained through hard work and committment. Obama stands as an example of that, even if he doesn't come from the usual African American culture.
Also, I was moved by watching the crowd celebrating his victory. Blacks and whites were cheering the victory of a man who captured their hearts all the same. We are all humans with similar emotions, fears, goals, and challenges. I pray that we can all realized that and be united.
I don't know what's going to happen to the U.S. I know I'm going to try to be faithful to God's will and try to be an asset to my country. Yes, Obama's policies scare me. Who's going to pay for them? What kind of habits are they producing? Yes, Obama's charisma paired with lack of experience scares me. But, he's been elected, so I will continue on with my life by trying to be the best American I can be. I'm not going to give up my morals, values, and convictions, and I will continue to vote according to them. This time I wasn't in the majority. That's the way the system works.
I definitely see some positive things out of Obama's election, though. He wasn't elected because only the African-Americans came out to vote, he was elected because he was abled to appeal to all races. I am so proud to see that an African American was able to be elected. How far we have come! Racism makes me sick. I want to believe that it is not as big of a deal anymore, but I know that's not entirely true. Mistrust exists on both sides. Maybe now we can see that all races are on a level playing field. I believe that level playing field existed before the election, but that it was covered by a lack of confidence and motivation that has shackled that culture. I believe that everyone deserves a chance, but that chance is gained through hard work and committment. Obama stands as an example of that, even if he doesn't come from the usual African American culture.
Also, I was moved by watching the crowd celebrating his victory. Blacks and whites were cheering the victory of a man who captured their hearts all the same. We are all humans with similar emotions, fears, goals, and challenges. I pray that we can all realized that and be united.
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